Optical switch having a reflector

Abstract

An optical switch (1) has a refractive element (3) between a reflector (5) and multiple optical waveguides (6), the refractive element (3) being pivotable to different positions to optically couple different sets of the waveguides (6), the reflector (5) being received on a reflector holder (7), the reflector holder (7) engaging spaced apart springs (9), and the springs (9) being compressed to aim the focal point of the reflector (5) at a precise position in front of the waveguides (6).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical switch comprising: a refractive element between a reflector and multiple optical waveguides, the refractive element being pivotable to different positions to optically couple different sets of the waveguides, the reflector being received on a reflector holder, the reflector holder engaging spaced apart springs, the springs being separate from the refractive element, and the springs being compressed by adjusting the position of the reflector holder to aim the focal point of the reflector at a precise position in front of the waveguides. 
     
     
       2. An optical switch as recited in claim 1 wherein, the reflector is received by a reflector support block, and the springs are dome shaped springs supported in the reflector support block. 
     
     
       3. An optical switch as recited in claim 2 wherein, adjustment screws are in an adjustment block attached to the reflector support block, and the adjustment screws engage the reflector holder to compress each of the springs. 
     
     
       4. An optical switch as recited in claim 1 wherein, the springs are dome shaped springs. 
     
     
       5. An optical switch as recited in claim 1 wherein, the waveguides are held in a waveguide holder on a support block, and a waveguide focus adjustment fastener registers with the waveguide holder and threadably adjusts in the support block to alter the distance of the waveguides to a precise focus relative to the reflector. 
     
     
       6. In an optical switch comprising: a refractive element between a reflector and multiple optical waveguides, the refractive element being pivotable to different positions to optically couple different sets of the waveguides, the improvement comprising: the reflector being received on a reflector holder, the reflector holder engaging spaced apart springs, the springs being separate from the refractive element, and the springs being compressed by adjusting the position of the reflector holder to aim the focal point of the reflector at a precise position in front of the waveguides. 
     
     
       7. An optical switch as recited in claim 6 wherein, the springs are dome shaped springs. 
     
     
       8. An optical switch as recited in claim 7 wherein, the springs are supported in recesses in a reflector support block to which the reflector holder is mounted.